Eighteen-year-old racing phenom Connor Zilisch experienced the highs and lows of NASCAR competition in a single weekend as his promising Cup Series debut ended in an unfortunate collision Sunday at Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

Just one day after claiming victory in the Xfinity race at COTA—his second career win in that series—Zilisch’s Cup debut came to a premature end when he collided with Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez’s spinning car on Lap 50.

“I couldn’t see anything,” Zilisch radioed to his team immediately after the impact. “All I saw was smoke.”

The collision in Turn 20 ended the day for both Trackhouse Racing entries, with Zilisch finishing last in the 37-car field.

Despite the disappointing finish, Zilisch displayed remarkable skill throughout his abbreviated Cup debut. Starting from the 14th position, the young driver faced adversity immediately when his car was hit in the first turn of the opening lap, resulting in a flat right front tire that forced an early pit stop.

After returning to the track, Zilisch showcased his raw talent by briefly holding the fastest lap of the race. He methodically worked his way through the field from 25th position on Lap 27 to 10th by Lap 41, demonstrating the same racing prowess that earned him the Xfinity victory the previous day.

Crew chief Darian Grubb offered words of encouragement over the team radio: “You did amazing buddy. You did nothing wrong today. You did an incredible job driving way up through there.”

As a development driver for Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch’s impressive performance despite the early exit suggests a bright future in NASCAR’s premier series. Though his first Cup race ended in disappointment, his ability to overcome early setbacks and move through the field highlighted the talent that has made him one of racing’s most promising young stars.

Trackhouse Racing has not yet announced when Zilisch will make his next Cup Series appearance, but his performance at COTA—both in victory and adversity—has certainly made an impression on the NASCAR community.